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Elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide (Oral)

Generic name: elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide [ el-vi-TEG-ra-vir, koe-BIK-i-stat, em-trye-SYE-ta-been, ten-OF-oh-vir-al-a-FEN-a-mide ]
Brand name: Genvoya
Drug class: Antiviral combinations

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 22, 2024.

Oral route(Tablet)

Warning: Post-treatment Acute Exacerbation of Hepatitis BSevere acute exacerbations of hepatitis B have been reported in patients who are coinfected with HIV-1 and HBV and have discontinued products containing emtricitabine and/or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), and may occur with discontinuation of elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide. Hepatic function should be monitored closely with both clinical and laboratory follow-up for at least several months in patients who are coinfected with HIV-1 and HBV and discontinue elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide. If appropriate, anti-hepatitis B therapy may be warranted .

Uses for elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide

Elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide combination is used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. HIV is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). This medicine is usually given to patients who have yet not received any medicine for HIV infection.

Elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide combination will not cure or prevent HIV infection or AIDS. It helps keep HIV from reproducing and appears to slow down the destruction of the immune system. This may help delay problems that are usually related to AIDS or HIV disease from occurring. This medicine will not keep you from spreading HIV to other people. People who receive this medicine may continue to have other problems usually related to AIDS or HIV disease.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide combination in children weighing less than 25 kilograms. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide combination in the elderly.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Proper use of elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Read it again each time you refill your prescription in case there is new information. You should talk to your doctor if you have any questions.

This medicine should be taken with food.

Do not change the dose or stop using this medicine without checking first with your doctor. When your supply of this medicine is running low, contact your doctor or pharmacist ahead of time. Do not allow yourself to run out of this medicine.

If you are taking antacids or laxatives containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium, sucralfate, calcium or iron supplements, or buffered medicines, take them at least 2 hours before or after taking Genvoya®. These medicines may keep Genvoya® from working properly.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Do not use this medicine if the seal on the bottle is broken or missing. Keep the bottle tightly closed. Keep the medicine in the original bottle that you were given at the pharmacy.

Biktarvy, Descovy, Truvada, Atripla, Stribild, Epzicom, Complera

Precautions while using elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide

Your doctor will want to check your progress at regular visits, especially during the first few weeks that you take this medicine. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for any unwanted effects.

The medicines in this combination tablet are also available as Atripla®, Complera®, Emtriva®, Truvada®, Tybost®, Viread®, or Vitekta®. Do not take the elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide combination with any of these medicines.

This medicine should not be used together with alfuzosin (Uroxatral®), carbamazepine (Tegretol®), lamivudine (Combivir®, Epivir®, Epivir-HBV®, Epzicom®, Triumeq®, Trizivir®), lomitapide (Juxtapid®), lovastatin (Mevacor®), lurasidone (Latuda®), midazolam (Versed®), phenobarbital (Luminal®), phenytoin (Dilantin®), pimozide (Orap®), rifampin (Rifadin®, Rimactane®), sildenafil (Revatio®), simvastatin (Zocor®), triazolam (Halcion®), St John's wort, or ergotamine medicines (eg, dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methylergonovine, Cafergot®, Ergomar®, Wigraine®).

Two rare but serious reactions to this medicine are lactic acidosis (too much acid in the blood) and liver toxicity. These reactions are more common if you are female, obese, or have been taking anti-HIV medicines for a long time. Call your doctor right away if you have stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, muscle cramping or pain, unusual tiredness or weakness, trouble breathing, or yellow skin or eyes.

Your immune system may get stronger when you start taking HIV medicines. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any changes in your health. Sometimes the immune system will start to fight infections that were hidden in your body, such as pneumonia, herpes, or tuberculosis. Autoimmune disorders (eg, Graves' disease, polymyositis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and autoimmune hepatitis) may also occur.

This medicine does not decrease the risk of transmitting the HIV infection to others through sexual contact or by contaminated blood. Make sure you understand and practice safe sex, even if your partner also has HIV. Avoid sharing needles with anyone.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects of elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

Available Dosage Forms:

Therapeutic Class: Anti-Infective Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Integrase Inhibitor

Frequently asked questions

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Further information

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